AWARD NEWSLETTER M OMMUNITY “U CNY Labor Council and Joe Bonamassa · PDF filepage 1 CNY...

CNY Labor Council and Joe Bonamassa Hold Benefit to “Save the Lab”! by Bill Perrotti

Contents

Benefit Concert 1 NYSUT/NEA Merger Talks 2 AFL-CIO Scholarship 2 CCC Planning & Higher Ed. Council Meetings

3

Spring Luncheon & New Member Reception

4

New Member Profile 5 Scholarship Winner’s Essay 6

Correction 7 NYSUT Travel Benefits 8 PA Co-Sponsor of Heart-Run Team

9

Political Outreach 11

New Committee Members and Reps

7

PANORAMA ● MVCC PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER ● VOLUME V I● NO. 4 ● FEBRUARY 2005

T H E A W A R D-W I N N I N G N E W S L E T T E R MO H A W K VA L L E Y CO M M U N I T Y CO L L E G E PR O F E S S I O N A L AS S O C I AT I O N

“UN I T E D FO R EX C E L L E N C E I N ED U C A T I O N”

A new round of hearings by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRACC) is slated for later this year and the Air Force Research Laboratory (the Rome Lab), the Northeast Air Defense Sector, and the Defense Finance Accounting Service on the former Griffiss Air Base in Rome will be on the docket. No one who has lived in the Mohawk Valley for even a short time has to be told of the devastating impact on the central New York economy and the quality of life in Utica,

Rome, and the surrounding communities if those facilities close and the associated jobs leave the area. We're talking over two thousand jobs, over two thousand GOOD jobs! We simply can't let that happen. And it's not simply a problem for the politicians to solve. We ALL have a stake in this and we ALL must roll up our collective sleeves and do something to help. I'm proud to say that organized labor in the form of the AFL-CIO Central New York Labor Council is stepping up in a big way to help protect these facilities and these jobs. And it's not because the jobs we could lose are all union jobs, they're not. They are good jobs. And that's reason enough for all of us who are part of the labor movement to work to keep them here. Below I've paraphrased remarks I've heard from Council President Pat Costello of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers: We don't just worry about union jobs, we fight for all good jobs.

We're about doing whatever we can to make life in the Mohawk Valley better. We're about doing what we can to raise the living standard of as many central New Yorkers as we can.

continued on page 2

Joe Bonamassa, a native of NY Mills, and his band will play at benefit.

Take a Friend!! Buy a ticket, get a ticket for

free!! (Offer limited to the first

15 tickets sold.) See Bill Perrotti for details.


Pub l isher M V C C

P r o f e s s i o n a l A s s o c i a t i o n

P r e si d e n t E l l i s G a g e S e a r l e s

E d i t or A l i s o n D o u g h t i e

E d i t i o n F e b r u a r y 2 0 0 5

V o l u m e V I● N o . 4

Websi te w w w . m v c c p a . o r g

Affiliate #2839 Affiliate #39015

At its December meeting, the NYSUT Board of Directors discussed a document—still in draft form—that proposes to express the common grounds upon which a single state teachers’ union would be formed. The draft, entitled “Fundamental Beliefs to Create a Single State Union,” proposes eight principles of unification. It envisions a single state union that would

champion public education be an inclusive

organization reach decisions

democratically strongly support local

affiliate efforts to serve members provide highest quality

services to members foster diversity work for a strong,

democratic, and effective labor movement

In addition, the unification process would involve members and respect the past. Combining the two statewide unions has been under discussion for some time. Similar discussions have been taking place on the national level. In recent months, some of the obstacles to this merger have been overcome and the process has gained momentum.

So the question is, “What will labor do?" To answer, all I can say is "Come to the Capitol Theater on Monday evening, February 28th." With Pat's vision and the virtuoso help of Joe Bonamassa, we're going to "Save the Lab." New York Mills born Joe Bonamassa is widely acknowledged to be one of the foremost blues guitarists in the world. He and his band have agreed to return to the Mohawk Valley to help raise money to "Save the Lab.” They will perform a special concert that will include an acoustic set by Joe alone followed by a longer set with the whole band. In between sets, there will be opportunities for representatives of area labor locals or other organizations to publicly add to the growing "war chest" with their own donations. County Executive Joe Griffo will be on hand to officially accept any

Save Jobs!

school student who meets the fol-

lowing criteria, tell him or her to apply for a 2005 New York State AFL-CIO Scholarship. Applicants must graduate in 2005, have a parent or guardian who is a member of a union affiliated with NYS AFL-CIO (which includes PA members), and be accepted in a course of study in labor relations or a labor-related interest (e.g., law, political science, journalism, or sociology) at an accredited New York State institution. Scholarship details and a down-loadable application form can be found online at this address: http://www.nysaflcio.org/scholarship_2005.htm.

NYS AFL-CIO offers $8,000.00 Scholarship

Help spread the word! If you know of a high

NYSUT and NY/NEA Merger Talks Continue by Ellis Gage Searles

continued from p. 1

continued on p. 3

This proposed unification will be a major topic this April at the RA, NYSUT’s annual convention. Following the RA, regular updates should be forthcoming.


Today, was voted the BluesWax 2004 Blues Album of the Year. I'd say that's pretty impressive. From what I recently read, it sounds like the album before that, Blues Deluxe, was pretty special as well. On hearing he had just won two prestigious music awards, Joe had this to say: I am very honored by both of these awards...I was first introduced to the Blues at age four after hearing Eric Clapton's version of 'Further on Up the Road.' Twenty-three years later, Blues is the music that still inspires me everyday. It's a constantly changing medium and sometimes I know I think a little outside the box. Nevertheless I am and have always been a Blues guitar player. It's a feeling inside as much a part of me as love, sadness, and all other emotions. It's my life's calling, I could

never do anything else. Not only is Joe an accomplished, award-winning musician, he is also an educator and an ambassador for the blues. Next to native American music, blues is the oldest music genre of truly American origin. Joe has appeared in more than 100

donations and he will be joined by many politicians and citizens who care about the Mohawk Valley. I'm really proud to say that the Professional Association was the first area labor local to have done so weeks ago with a donation to the effort totaling $1000 (and the PA’s buy-one-get-one-free ticket subsidy will raise our total contribution to $1300). I think the example we've set is soon to become very contagious as many locals are now considering donations of their own. The "Save the Lab" concert promises to be a not-to-be-missed world class show to remember by a local one-in-a-million musical talent. Maybe a few words about Joe Bonamassa will help. Joe was voted the 2004 Blues Artist of the Year by the readers of BluesWax, the most widely subscribed blues magazine in the world. And if that's not enough, Joe's latest album, Had To Cry

My early January activities are fairly predictable: finish off the holiday cake, take a nap; polish off the

leftover New Year’s champagne, take a nap; read a book, take a nap. This January, though, I had the opportunity to get out of my sweatpants and take a peak at what New York State’s higher-ed unionists do during their “breaks.” On January 7, presidents (or their representatives) from ED 39 met in New York to plan next year’s Community College Conference. In approximately five hours, the group reviewed the conference evaluations, discussed new topics and ideas for the Conference, decided on a short list of keynote speakers and a theme (tentatively, “Local and Global Coalition Building”), and came up with a fairly specific schedule of topics and panels. Soon after the CCC planning storm, representatives from our local, NYSUT, AFT, UUP, and PSC, among others, began the Higher Education Council meeting. From Friday to Saturday afternoon, the group received information on what is

continued on p. 9

Joe Bonamassa

CCC Planning and Higher Ed. Council Meetings by Alison Doughtie

continued on p. 10

continued from p. 2


Member Services

PA kicks off 2005 with Annual Spring Luncheon and New Member Reception

Retirees Tom Maneen (left) and John Snyder (right) display PA plaques given in recognition of their service.

Above: The PA hosts a crowd at the Spring Luncheon.

Right (from left to right): Julie Wells-Tsiatsos, Pat Zawko, 2005 PA Scholarship winner Stan Bridgman, Larisa Graziano, Sandy Davis , and Sue Perry-Zasa

PANORAMA ● MVCC PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER ● VOLUME VI● NO. 4 ● FEBRUARY 2005

companies specializing in industrial construction hardware and supplies. He's quick to mention, however, that he also learned much from his father, a career Chicago Pneumatic millwright. For the past seven years David and his wife, Becky Calidonna, and their daughter, Willow, have raised sheep and beef cattle on their working farm in Clinton.

A published poet, he has long been interested in the "beat generation" writers of the 1950s, and is also enthusiastic about more traditionally canonical figures such as Blake, Whitman, and Frost. If David is comfortable with pen in hand, he's equally at home with screwdrivers, hammers, and pliers, as a glance around his Academic Building office reveals. David acquired his mechanical skills during more than ten years in the private sector, working for local

Internal Communications

New Members Feature: A profile of David Nackley by George Searles

PAnorama welcomes David Nackley, who joined the PA when hired as an Art Department technical assistant in January. Born and raised in Utica, David graduated from Notre Dame High School and completed his Liberal Arts degree at MVCC before majoring in English at SUNY Oneonta.

New Member’s Reception From top left: Bill Perrotti, Ellis Gage Searles, new member Lillian Saeger, Jed Kimball, new member David Nackley, and Christi Harrington. Top right: David Nackley, Christi Harrington, and Jed Kimball. Bottom right: Lillian Saeger receives her choc-full-of-information binder from Luther Riedel.

With each passing year, the politicians in this state attempt to divert more funding away from our community colleges in an attempt to balance the burgeoning budget deficits they have wrought. This year, the following cuts are on the table: “13.8 million to be cut from the SUNY community colleges budget, $2 million from part-time financial aid, and millions more from operating and full-time faculty funding” (www.nypirg.org). Once again it seems, out elected leaders look upon our community col-leges and see only the financial “burden” they are upon the tax rolls. To the student attending MVCC, the community college is so much more than a line-item on an Albany spending bill. First of all, many of the students who choose to attend MVCC are returning adult learners who do not have four years to invest prior to showing a return—the community college provides a high-quality alternative. I can speak to this personally because being 35 years old, raising a daughter and tending to aging parents, I fall into this category. As I approach the end of my learning here at MVCC, I can absolutely say that my time in college has kept me from being the father (and the son) that I should be. Between studying, lecture and clinical, there has been little time for anything else. Beyond question my daughter’s life will be the better

for my education, but were I forced to pursue the four-year route instead, I would have put it off until my daughter left home—I simply could not have put my daughter “on hold” that long. Second, the community college offers educational refuge to those who cannot afford to attend a private or public four-year institution (2004 average tuition $11, 354 [public] and $27, 516 [private] www.money.cnn.com). At

$2, 850, MVCC provides an affordable education that is just as solid as that provided at one of the higher-priced institutions. It is this concept of affordable education that makes our coun-try the technological and free-thinking leader of the world that it is. Last, the community college system encourages its graduates to remain in our area. As the Central New York economy has suffered blow after blow, many of our citizens have decided to move to areas that are more prosperous. We began to see the result of this migration a few years ago—dilapidated and boarded buildings, elementary schools closing from lack of enrollment, and social service program cutbacks just as the rolls of those requiring assistance has risen. In other words, our community is bleeding—more accurately, hemorrhaging. Meanwhile, it has been bemoaned to the nth degree that the only way to stem this flow and reverse our situation is to retain the present core of professionals that we have to motivate the up-and-coming to remain and right the ship. MVCC fans this flame by providing hometown mentor-mentee relationships, establish-ing internships at local compan-ies (read: future employers), and installing a sense of community pride in its students.

Internal Communications The Value of a Community College Education by Stan Bridgman Recipient, 2004-2005 PA Student Scholarship


Stan Bridgman thanks those in the nursing program who have supported him.

To the student attending MVCC, the community college is so much more than a

line-item on an Albany spending bill.

continued on p. 10


Many hands make light work, the saying goes. And nowhere is that more necessary than in the Professional Association. So, it’s good news that members keep stepping up, offering their hands to PA committees and area representation. First, the Grievance Committee has gained a new member in David Hoffman. He was appointed to the committee by the Executive Board at its February meeting, filling the place formerly held by Margaret Partyka, who left the College in December. Also recently, the Member Support and Recognition Committee added two new

New Names Added to PA Committee, Reps Lists by Ellis Gage Searles

members, Rich Lamasney and Robert Christman, to the existing group that includes Cynthia Busic-Snyder, Patty Hirsch, Beverly Jaskolka, and Carolyn West Pace. New reps are in place for two campus areas now as well: David Hoffman for the Rome Campus and Sandy Cummings for Student Activities, Child Care, Facilities, and CCED. As always, members who know about someone who should be celebrated or a colleague who needs our support, please contact anyone on the Member Support and Recognition Committee. Other concerns or questions should be addressed to an area rep or a member of the PA Executive Board.

Health and Safety

NYSUT Health Care Professionals by Lorie Phillips

lectures on a large variety of health care topics identified by the Council members as areas of interest. A fee is charged to attend the conference with continuing education credits awarded for specific lectures; refreshments and lunch are included as part of the conference fee. The 2005 Forum is planned for May, with the conference enrollment materials becoming available in January. As you can see, this is a very active NYSUT committee devoted to the health care needs

of the public and specific issues related to health professionals. I routinely disseminate information gleaned from this committee to the Health Services Department at our monthly meetings and to area professionals who might benefit. If you have issues that you would like discussed at the Council or would like more information about topics I have mentioned above, please give me a call (ext. 5664), or e-mail me ([email protected]). Thank you.

Every spring the Council devel-ops and implements a one-day seminar called the “NYSUT Professionals Issues Forum on Health Care” at the NYSUT Conference Center in Latham, to meet its goal of providing professional development opportunities to NYSUT health professionals. The 2004 forum was well attended, providing 12

Editor’s note: Due to unforeseen circumstances, the last part of Lorie Phillips’ article in the De-cember issue of PAnorama was misprinted. Below is the missing section.

Robert Christman (above) and Rich Lamasney (below) join the Support and Rec-ognition Committee.

As a NYSUT member, you are eligible to take advantage of a variety of member benefits. One of the many member benefits available is car rentals. Next time you rent a car, be sure to contact Alamo, Avis, Budget or Hertz. These compa-nies provide NYSUT members and agency fee payers with dis-counted rates on passenger car rentals. Discounts do not apply to vehi-cles other than passenger cars, taxes, drop-off charges, other service fees, special promotional

rates, or rentals that are part of a tour package. All renters must meet the standard financial re-sponsibility and driver qualifica-tions established by these com-panies. Discounts granted to groups such as NYSUT are determined by the amount of rental business done by members of that group. Some other groups or affiliations may qualify for larger discounts than NYSUT. Discounts may not be available during peak periods; regular pricing would apply. Consumer Tip: Please be aware you will probably be able to obtain the best pricing by making your rental car arrange-ments through the rental compa-nies' Web sites. You can access Web sites for Alamo, Avis, Budget and Hertz by using the links provided on the NYSUT Member Benefits Web site. You may still request the NYSUT discounts when using this method. In order to receive your discount, use these NYSUT discount ID numbers: • Alamo: #213855 and Rate Code BY. Call toll-free 1-800-354-2322. Or make your reserva-tion online at Alamo.com • Avis: #A441200. Call toll-


free 1-800-698-5685. For inter-national reservations, call toll-free 1-800-331-1084. Or make your reservation online at Avis.com • Budget: BCD#X928400. Call toll-free 1-800-455-2848. Or make your reservation online at Budget.com • Hertz: CDP #85352. Call toll-free 1-800-654-2200. For international reservations, call toll-free 1-800-654-3001. Or make your reservation online at Hertz.com Also check with NYSUT Mem-ber Benefits for promotional discount coupons. Member Benefits can be reached toll-free at 1-800-626-8101, week-days from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. East-ern Time, or e-mail them at [email protected]. Check out the NYSUT Member Benefits website at http://memberbenefits.nysut.org for more benefits that are avail-able to you!

Education and Training

Are You Getting Tired of the Snow and Cold? Are You Thinking about Planning a Trip? by Norma Chrisman

PANORAMA ● MVCC PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER ● VOLUME VI ● NO. 4 ● FEBRUARY 2005

Community Outreach

Professional Association Co-sponsors MVCC Heart Run Team; Gene Militello Is Inspirational Honoree

Gene Militello is one PA member who won’t miss “America’s Greatest Heart Run and Walk.” He’ll be walking three miles that day. What’s more, he’ll be providing inspiration to the other runners, walkers, and donors who take part in this big event. In 1999, Gene found out that he had heart disease. Now that quintuple bypass surgery and a valve replacement have restored Gene to good health, he wants to make a contribution to the annual event that highlights the good work of the American Heart Association, an organization that supports research for the prevention and treatment of heart problems like his. The PA does, too.

So, along with the other unions at MVCC and campus groups like the Alumni Association, the Association is co-sponsoring this year’s MVCC team. As always, PA members will be at Utica College on March 5th, running, walking, and volunteering. Those who can’t be there that day may take advantage of one of the other options for participation—like the indoor walking planned at several area locations. And, between now and then, everyone can make a donation. For more information, contact PA Community Outreach Committee Chair Steve Getchell, who is coordinating the Association’s participation in this year’s Heart Run, or Donna Sawyer White, Chair of the MVCC Heart Run and Walk Committee. In whatever way you can, please join Gene Militello and friends in supporting this worthy cause.

American cities as part of an educational program called Blues in the Schools. It is a program developed by the Blues Foundation to perpetuate interest in blues among middle and high school students everywhere. From the sounds of one report out of Lubbock, Texas, Joe really connects with and has an impact on the students he encounters in these sessions. In Joe's own words, When I did it, I knew that the blues might not be these kids' personal taste in music. But I just saw their faces light up. They responded with conviction." "I figured everyone should know who Robert Johnson is, why Muddy Waters is important and how the Rolling Stones got their name. It's cool when they figure out that Led Zeppelin and Willie Dixon and Robert Johnson all have something in common. The educator in me says how wonderful it would be for Utica/Rome to be one of those Blues in the Schools cities. Something for us to consider and work toward. So you see, at the advance sale price of $20 per ticket ($25 at the door), this concert is nothing short of a steal. Tickets are available at the Capitol Theater, the Rome Chamber of Commerce, and the Savoy Restaurant in Rome, and at the CNY Labor Council Office on Genesee Street in Utica. In addition (although not listed on

Save the Lab! continued from p. 3

continued on p. 10


the promotional posters), the NYSUT regional office on Ellinwood Court in New Hartford (near UPS) will serve as a ticket site making it easier for members and the public to pick up tickets in Utica before the day of the concert. There will also be tickets on campus in my office, Payne Hall 389. Now just stop for a second and do the math: 1700 = 34,000. “Whoa! That can't be,” you say. Not true. Consider… If we can fill all 1700 seats in the Capitol Theater, total revenues for the evening will total at a minimum $34,000. Even after all expenses are paid, that will add well over $20,000 to the funds being amassed to support the effort needed to protect and save the essential facilities and good jobs at the base. That's "new" math that we all can agree on. And it's certainly a goal worth working hard to achieve. The Labor Council has reached out to local government officials for support in filling the theater. County Executive Joe Griffo is enthusiastically supporting the effort and has planned a countywide proclamation commemorating Joe Bonamassa's return to

Help Save Jobs continued from p. 9

happening in higher ed. in NY State and in the country. More specifically, the group discussed the Academic Bill of Rights and Academic Freedom, Regents proposals, and various resolutions for the Representative Assembly in April. Being in the same room with leaders who are so informed about and committed to higher ed. issues was energizing and inspiring—well worth the break from my traditional routine.

Higher Ed. Council

continued from p. 3

Oneida County for this special event. Chambers of Commerce in both Utica and Rome have likewise been contacted and are wholeheartedly supporting labor's effort as well. NYSUT will of course do its part, too. NYSUT Regional Director Fred Monaco is getting the word out to all K-12 locals in this service region with encouragement for as many NYSUT brothers and sisters to attend as possible. Our president, Ellis Searles, will be repeating and reinforcing that message when the Oneida County Local Presidents meet next week. All NYSUT locals in the county have a big stake in the survival of what remains of the base. I sincerely hope our efforts bring the result we dearly want on the 28th: every seat filled and the Capitol Theater rocking to Joe B's high energy music and incredible artistry. Save the date to "Save the Lab"! Let's FILL the place! I'll be there. Hope you will too. Contact me or Ellis for tickets.

At the end of the day, the value of a community college education (and MVCC in particular) cannot be measured solely in dollars and cents. Instead, it must be held against the profound and lifelong positive effect this education has on those who receive it.

If we can fill all 1700 seats in

the Capitol Theater, total

revenues for the evening will

total at a minimum $34,000.

Even after all expenses are paid,

that will add well over $20,000

to the funds being amassed to

support the effort ...

continued from p. 6

Value of a Community College Education

It’s that time of year again in Albany, when the Governor announces his budget and the legislature begin their deliberations. Once again, the governor has ignored the needs of the community colleges in the state. At least this year he

Political Outreach

Political Action Update by Mike Sewall

Have You Faxed the Governor Yet? Amendments to Governor Pataki’s budget proposals for BO-CES, TAP, and PERB must happen soon. Otherwise, they may not happen at all. Let him know your concerns. NYSUT has prepared a fax for our use. Look for a link on our website on the community communications page. (http://www.mvccpa.org/main/community-comm-faxgov.cfm) It only takes a minute, and it can make a difference

has not suggested cutting our funding, so that may be an upside. It will take a great deal of work on the part of many people to press the case of our needs. Last year, we were successful with the legislators only to have the governor veto their assistance and reduce the state’s funding. The association will be repre-sented in Albany a number of times during the next few months. Meetings have been planned with our representa-tives to build our case for ad-ditional funding. This is a ne-cessary process but often times very frustrating. Most often, our representatives are on our side


only to have our efforts thwarted by the Governor. There may be need, as in the past, for us to mobilize an e-mail campaign to reinforce our efforts. You have always been very helpful and we know we can continue to count on your support in the future. This will be a busy spring for your Political Outreach Committee.

Mohawk Valley Community College Professional Association 1101 Sherman Drive Utica, NY 13501-5349

Save the date! Knock a few down. Support a great cause. Thea Bowman Bowl-a-Thon AMF Pin-O-Rama Sunday, March 20.

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